Tomb Raider movie won’t follow from earlier films

A film adaptation of the rebooted Tomb Raider seemed an inevitability, but we hadn't heard much about the project since its big reveal back in 2011. However, now the game's on shelves, developer Crystal Dynamics feels free to talk about the new Lara Croft's step onto the silver screen.

Tomb Raider

The original Tomb Raider film did well, while sequel Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life ...well, it didn't. Let's not talk about that.

Darrell Gallagher, head of studio at Crystal Dynamics explains that "It’s a good partnership. We’re seeing the challenges through the same lens."

It was important for both of us to have a cohesive version of the franchise. We didn’t want to see a film version that was a continuation of the old ‘Tomb Raider’ films.

At the end of the day though, says Gallagher, "we make the games, they make the film". Variety explains that GK Films has previously had great successes with films like The Departed, Hugo and Rango, all strongly character-driven productions.

Just who will drive this new film is yet to be seen, with Noah Hughes, creative director at Crystal Dynamics explaining that picking the right Lara Croft is key - and not just because she's following in the footsteps of Angelina Jolie.

Looking at Lara as a character, she was still going to be an intellectual heroine, a brilliant archeologist, but more athletic, more competent in traversal and puzzle-solving and combat.

The new game - and by extension, the new film - draws inspiration from unusual sources: Danny Boyle's 127 Hours is namechecked, as a "dark story" showing the strength of human character and the will to survive. "That mapped appropriately to Lara as we knew her."

At this stage, no names have been attached to the project outside of Crystal Dynamics and GK Films, and we've not heard any dates either.